Salvation Army collecting clothes for homeless kids

The Salvation Army’s annual Clothes for Kids: Back to School Clothing Drive kicked off Friday and will continue through Aug. 17 at CherryVale Mall.

Area shoppers are encouraged to donate new clothing for homeless and needy children. The Salvation Army hopes to give each student a new back-to-school outfit.

Donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army’s drop-off site in the mall’s center court, or The Salvation Army’s Social Services office, 416 S. Madison St.

An anonymous donor has agreed to match all financial contributions to Clothes for Kids up to $10,000. Financial contributions may be mailed to The Salvation Army P.O. Box 4159 Rockford, IL 61110.

Sponsors of Clothes for Kids: Back to School Clothing include the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, WIFR-TV and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Rockford.

Officials estimate the number of homeless students heading back to school this year in Rockford will have risen to 2,000. The district has 27,250 students. It defines homelessness as students who live with extended family members or friends to living in shelters, hotels or cars.